Geopolitical turmoil brings chaos to Antwerp and other European ports
Ports across Europe, including Antwerp, are experiencing acute congestion as a result of mounting geopolitical tensions, climate-related disruptions and shifting global trade dynamics. De Tijd reports that the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a key driver of economic growth in Flanders, is under significant pressure due to capacity constraints.
According to Jacques Vandermeiren, the port's CEO, terminal operators, transport companies and inland shipping firms are "losing vast sums of money" as waiting times increase and supply chains break down.
Average vessel waiting times in Antwerp increased from 32 hours at the end of March to 44 hours by mid-May — a rise of 37 per cent. Similar patterns have been observed in Hamburg (49 per cent) and Bremerhaven (79 per cent), according to maritime consultancy Drewry.
"We’re facing bottlenecks everywhere for a variety of reasons and no one knows how long this will last"
"We've only seen something like this during the pandemic," says Vandermeiren. "But then the cause was clear: a sudden, synchronised global shutdown. Now, however, we’re facing bottlenecks everywhere for a variety of reasons, and no one knows how long this will last.”
Perfect storm
The current gridlock is the result of a number of global disruptions coming together. Attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have made the Suez Canal route too dangerous for many vessels. Consequently, ships are being diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to two weeks to their journey time.
Meanwhile, drought conditions in the Panama Canal are restricting shipping traffic, and low water levels on the Rhine are limiting access to and from Antwerp's hinterland by inland waterways.
Geopolitical volatility is also reshaping global trade flows. Initially, uncertainty surrounding US import tariffs on Chinese goods led to postponed or rerouted shipments, with many being redirected to Europe.
When these tariffs were temporarily lifted, the volume of shipments surged as companies sought to export goods quickly, triggering an early and intense peak season that overwhelmed European ports.
Structural pressure
Antwerp’s container infrastructure has long been operating at full capacity. Congestion is worsening as containers spend more time at the docks — eight days or more, compared to five days in optimal conditions — and require more frequent repositioning. This undermines the efficiency of what was once a tightly synchronised supply chain.
The effects are being felt in both import and export operations: limited inland shipping capacity is hampering outbound flows, while delays in ship arrivals are causing export cargo to remain at the docks for longer. This compound disruption increases costs and reduces throughput efficiency.
With no clear resolution in sight, port stakeholders are facing increasing uncertainty. The combined impact of war risk, climate stress and economic unpredictability is forcing a re-evaluation of traditional trade routes and logistics strategies, at a time when Europe’s most critical ports are struggling to keep goods moving.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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